Organically Yours: Sanctuary, Book Five by Abbie Zanders (classic books for 11 year olds .TXT) 📗

caught sight of the damage to Tina’s truck again and felt another wave of something dark and ugly swell in his chest.

Tina must have picked up on it because she squeezed his hand and said, “It’s okay.”

“There’s nothing okay about this. This wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t been on your way here.”

“We don’t know that,” she said.

He knew. “Maybe you shouldn’t—”

“Doc. Stop. I knew what I was getting into,” Tina said. “Well, maybe not the getting shot at part, but I knew there would be consequences, and I still think it’s worth it. In fact, I’m more certain now than ever.”

Her words filled him with warmth.

“You are, huh?”

“I am. That reminds me, I’ve got something for you.”

“For me? What?”

Tina carefully climbed into the back of her truck and went to a large wooden crate held in place by a bungee cord. She opened the crate and removed a picnic basket, handing it to him over the side along with a small cooler.

“What’s all this?” he asked.

“That,” she said, pointing to the cooler, “is the Zook’s chicken I promised you. And that”—she waved her hand toward the picnic basket—“is some new stuff I’ve been working on as well as some old standbys. Kate said you had a thing for peaches.”

“I have a thing for your peaches,” he corrected.

She laughed, a lovely tint creeping up her neck and coloring her cheeks.

Basket in one hand, Tina’s hand in the other, Doc led her to his trailer.

“I was going to suggest a walk along the trail,” he told her, “but maybe just chilling at my place would be better.”

“I’d prefer that, if you don’t mind. My energy level isn’t fully back to where it should be, and after this morning’s excitement, just chilling sounds good to me.”

“Fine by me. How about the joint pain? Any improvement?”

“Some,” she said. “You’d think with all the time I spent lying around the past couple of days, it would be better than it is.”

They reached his trailer.

Doc unlocked the door and opened it for her, noticing her slight grimace as she stepped up into it. “Are you taking anything for it?”

“Just regular OTCs. That’s usually enough to take the edge off, but they haven’t been doing the trick lately. I probably built up a tolerance and should switch it up. It happens sometimes.”

He wanted to ask her more, but she turned around and flashed him a smile that made him forget what he was going to say.

“Fair warning: I got inspired this week and am dying to have someone try out my new recipes.”

“You mean, no one else has tried these before?”

“Not some of them, no. You’ll be the first.”

“I’m honored.”

She extracted a red-and-white checked picnic blanket from the basket and spread it out on the table. After smoothing out the wrinkles, she lined up a variety of jars and sealed containers.

“You really went all out, didn’t you? I thought you were taking it easy.”

“I was. Only a few of them are new. The rest are from my private stash.” She lifted a small, covered glass dish. “Most of these are good at room temperature, but this one and the Zook’s need to be warmed up. Can I use your oven?”

“Knock yourself out. Hopefully, it works. I don’t think it’s ever been used.”

She laughed at that. “Not much of a cook, huh?”

“I can cook if I have to, but it’s not my forte. Kate and Sam do a much better job than I could.”

“I can understand that,” she told him. “I don’t cook much for myself either. By the time I get home at night, I’m too tired to do anything but pop something into the microwave. Anything more isn’t worth the effort, not for one person.”

Doc looked skeptically at the items on the table.

“This is different. This isn’t me cooking for myself. This is science and, if I’m lucky, a sellable product. I installed a small commercial-grade kitchen at The Mill, and I spend a few hours there most days, especially during the summer. The best part is, I have staff that cleans up after me.”

She put the baking dish in the oven and managed to get it started.

“Okay, while those are heating up, let’s start with some staples.”

She opened a mason jar of sliced peaches, then dipped in a fork and held it to his lips.

“Delicious,” he said. “What is that?”

“My hybrid Snow Beauties with natural juices and vanilla schnapps. It’s one of my favorites.”

It was now officially one of his, too. “More, please.”

She obliged, spearing another slice. This time, he wrapped his hand around hers and let her take a bite first. A drop of liquid dribbled over her lips, and without conscious thought, he leaned down and pressed his lips to hers.

She stiffened at first, and he feared he’d made a grave error. He pulled away and was about to apologize when her free hand reached up, curled around the back of his neck, and coaxed him for another.

This time, her lips were soft and welcoming, tasting of peaches and vanilla. The kiss lasted much longer. Not long enough, but longer.

When she released him, he said, “Even better. I think I should sample everything this way.”

“Yes to some things,” she said with a smile. “But no to others. The chicken, for example. That could get weird.”

He appeared to consider it. “I see your point. All right. I’ll leave it up to you.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Tina

There were many things about Doc that Tina liked, but his easygoing manner and ready willingness to cede control over to her were particularly attractive. It balanced nicely with the protective, dangerous SEAL she’d glimpsed earlier. While she appreciated a strong, capable man, she had no use for overbearing he-man types. At the same time, she couldn’t be with someone who was passive and deferential by nature.

It was a tough ask, but she refused to settle. Now, it didn’t look like she would have to. Doc checked all of her boxes and then some.

Since he was being so agreeable, she decided